One of the success stories about economic development of Thailand in the past 20
years is its record of continuous reduction in the incidence of poverty defined as the
proportion of Thai population having income lower than a designated ‘poverty line’.
During the ‘economic boom’ periods in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the poverty
incidence throughout the country fell so rapidly that, statistically, the incidence of some
region (i.e. Bangkok) had approached zero, prompting some researchers to revise the
poverty line upward to reflect the changes in population structure, nutritional
requirements, consumption patterns, and prices. 1 Then the crisis hit in 1997. As a result
of a combination of various factors including mismanagement in the financial sectors,
incorrect exchange rate and international finance policies, and fall in export earnings,
Thailand lost most of its foreign reserves and was forced to float its currency, which
brought about massive capital outflows with ensuing negative effects on domestic
financial, employment and general economic conditions. Companies went bankrupt, jobs
lost, unemployment increased, and the average income of the Thai people declined.
Between 1996 and 2000, the incidence of poverty has increased from 11.5 per cent in
1996 to 13.0 in 1998 to 15.9 in 1999, and finally to 15.0 in 2000. 2 This level of poverty
is roughly equivalent to the situation in 1995. In a word, Thailand has already lost 5
years of its economic development. If economic difficulties continue, the development
and welfare losses can even be greater.
One of the success stories about economic development of Thailand in the past 20
years is its record of continuous reduction in the incidence of poverty defined as the
proportion of Thai population having income lower than a designated ‘poverty line’.
During the ‘economic boom’ periods in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the poverty
incidence throughout the country fell so rapidly that, statistically, the incidence of some
region (i.e. Bangkok) had approached zero, prompting some researchers to revise the
poverty line upward to reflect the changes in population structure, nutritional
requirements, consumption patterns, and prices. 1 Then the crisis hit in 1997. As a result
of a combination of various factors including mismanagement in the financial sectors,
incorrect exchange rate and international finance policies, and fall in export earnings,
Thailand lost most of its foreign reserves and was forced to float its currency, which
brought about massive capital outflows with ensuing negative effects on domestic
financial, employment and general economic conditions. Companies went bankrupt, jobs
lost, unemployment increased, and the average income of the Thai people declined.
Between 1996 and 2000, the incidence of poverty has increased from 11.5 per cent in
1996 to 13.0 in 1998 to 15.9 in 1999, and finally to 15.0 in 2000. 2 This level of poverty
is roughly equivalent to the situation in 1995. In a word, Thailand has already lost 5
years of its economic development. If economic difficulties continue, the development
and welfare losses can even be greater.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
